Programs

The RST administers several programs to help keep retail gasoline facilities, as well as other businesses with fuel storage tanks, free from contamination and to ensure the financing of remediation if leaks and spills should occur:

Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund

The Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund provides reimbursement to eligible owners or operators of storage tanks for corrective action costs and expenses required to address accidental releases.

Registration, Tanks, and Financial Assurance

All regulated tank systems are required by state law and regulation to be registered with DEQ. Storage tank registration fees help cover the cost of regulating Arkansas underground and aboveground storage tanks. To minimize the threat to public health and the environment, owners and operators of underground storage tank facilities in Arkansas are required to provide financial assurance for corrective action.

UST Licensing Program

The Licensing Program was established to provide for certification of companies and individuals who install, repair, upgrade, close, or test underground storage tanks in order to assure that these tank systems are installed, repaired, upgraded, closed, and tested in a manner that will not encourage or facilitate leaking of regulated substances and that will protect the public health and the lands and waters of Arkansas.

UST Operator Certification

UST operator training is designed to ensure that UST operators operate their tank systems in a manner that is compliant with state and federal requirements and that will prevent product releases that could endanger human health and/or the environment.

The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires each UST facility to have three classes of operators:

  • Class A: Owner or employee who has primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of UST systems
  • Class B: Owner or employee who implements routine daily aspects of operation and maintenance and record-keeping
  • Class C: Owner or employee who is generally the first line of response to emergency conditions

One individual may act as the Class A, B, and C operator for a facility.

Class A and B operators must pass a certification exam administered by the RST Office.